Tag "Bashar al-Assad"

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Middle East/North Africa Security

Syria’s Decade of War and Russia’s Encouragement of the Ongoing Conflict

As of March 2021, Syria has now been embroiled in civil war for ten years, as both the Syrian interim government and various other rebel factions continue to fight back against Bashar al-Assad and the human rights abuses that have occurred under his presidency. Yet, after an entire decade of war, there still does not appear to be any clear indication of peace in sight. This raises the question as to what has caused the conflict in Syria to last so long, and which state actors or nations might be responsible. 

Middle East/North Africa Security

Syria’s Idlib: Limited offensive to enforce Sochi Accord

Bashar al-Assad’s regime started an aerial assault against rebel-held areas in northwest Syria in late April. The purpose of the offensive is capturing the M4 and M5 highways from Aleppo to Hama and Lattakia, as agreed in Sochi.

Middle East/North Africa

Why Iran and Syria still need each other

Bashar al-Assad’s reliance on Tehran might have at some point upset the balance of power between the Iran and Syria, but recent developments, most notably the US withdrawing from the nuclear deal, have emphasized the significance of the alliance for both countries.

International Politics The Week Ahead

The Week Ahead: 15 – 21 April 2018

Cuban Assembly selects Raul Castro’s successor. Paraguay votes for president. Tensions in Syria escalate. IMF-World Bank meetings take place. All in The Week Ahead. 

International Politics The Week Ahead

The Week Ahead: 25 February – 3 March 2018

Right wing populists slated to make gains in Italian elections. New ceasefire comes to Syria. EU budget negotiations spill over. The United Kingdom debates the customs union. All in The Week Ahead. 

Middle East/North Africa Security Technology and infrastructure

Swarm drone attack in Syria points to new kind of warfare

The 5 January drone attack against two Russian bases in Syria highlights the growing risk posed by non-state actors using UAVs for offensive operations.

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Rouhani, Trump, and Theresa May: Is rapprochement dead?

Rouhani and his reformist allies rode their platform of social moderation and international engagement to crushing victories.

Middle East/North Africa Security

Five Takeaways from the Arab League’s 28th summit

Many in the Middle Eastern region and beyond expected low expectations for the Arab League, as its 28th summit commenced on March 29, 2017. The 72-year-old League has often failed to

Middle East/North Africa Security

Syria’s latest ceasefire: a declaration of war

The ceasefire will act as a window of opportunity to bring much-needed relief to Syria’s beleaguered populace as well as an opportunity to isolate the increasingly influential Jabhat Fateh al-Sham

Economics Middle East/North Africa

Dangerous liaisons: Algeria and Iran’s unlikely partnership

Algeria and Iran have forged an unlikely partnership, which has proven to be a source of consternation among some of the Arab world’s heavy hitters.